Week two for KL Saracens in Malaysia Rugby Super League (MRSL) was, as expected, another tough challenge for the players, taking on a solid Mersing Eagles team which included some very strong ball carriers.

First up, the club can easily say that the team can again be proud of their efforts and heads should be held high, as at the end of the day, we had chances to win this one and like last weekend, were unfortunate in the end to not at least walk away with a losing bonus point.

That said, when we review the video later, we are probably going to see that the loss was in the end, largely contributed to by three missed tackles and a couple of poor decisions when we were in possession.

We’ll work on the decision making aspect in training and are sure that the tight defence the team has become know for and showcased last weekend against Keris Conlay, will be back on show when we take on UITM in the third round of MRSL on Sun 14 Feb at Baker Hughes Arena @ Padang Varsiti, Universiti Malaya.

Similar to week one, KL Saracens stared with a lot of defensive work and not much possession, but apart from a long range penalty following a high tackle decision, the defence held out until 25 minutes.

When the defence did crack though, it was a first phase missed tackle and led to a run in under the posts and a deficit extended to 0-10. A second penalty for a not 10m decision on a tap penalty, which many thought harsh, saw that increased to 0-13 – The fact the shot was taken is credit to the defence KL Saracens we putting in!

Saracens then finally got hold of the ball and built some possession time in the right area of the field, which led to a first score on 31 minutes. After some sustained pressure generated by the forwards, through some well executed mauling and one out possession, the pack went over but were adjudged to have been held up.

From the subsequent scrum though, there was no mistake, as Conor Cheng carried well off the back of the scrum, only to be stopped just short – George Aird though, was in close support to pick up and finish the try. A successful conversion saw John Stapleton notch up his first points for the club and the teams went in to half time separated by only 6 points at 7-13.

The second half saw Saracens start more effectively, but on 50 minutes an enforced injury replacement for Gabe Lingan started to test our positional depth, with a few backs out through injury and work commitments.

Just after the substitution, a poor kick execution from the back of a ruck set up a great counter attacking opportunity for Mersing and aided by another defensive error, they scored in the corner and added and quality conversion to take the lead out to 7-20.

From that point though, Saracens got themselves together and started to play more like we have come to expect and you might say we had the better of the remainder of the second half – This was in large part down to more excellent work from the forwards, who were controlling the set-piece and strong in the loose.

The “highlight” being a sustained period of pressure close to the Mersing line where patience and good technique saw the ball go through multiple phases, only to be held up over the line.

Again though, the scrum was solid and possession retained, with the referee eventually awarding a penalty try for repeated off-side offences at the breakdown.

Unfortunately after getting back in to the match, a lack of discipline gave Mersing a penalty shot and they pushed the lead out again to 14-23 – We’ll have to work on being more solid following re-starts and not gift the opposition easy points!

That said, they boys kept their heads up and scored a very well earned third try through the forwards and a well executed maul, that was finished by Troy Looms (also his first points for the club).

With 10 minutes to go and at 19-23, it was game on!

Unfortunately a minute later, Troy was yellow carded and would take no further part in the match – It was going to be tough. The team worked hard though and retained possession well, trying to earn that all important score.

It was not be – With options in the back line diminished, a chip & chase kicking decision conceded possession and following a couple of missed tackles, Mersing got their third try and effectively sealed the win.

That said, Saracens showed their great spirit and worked hard to get back up in to Mersing territory to try and salvage something from the match and that effort continued right until the final whistle and almost saw the bonus point secured.

The coaching staff and spectators were proud of this and it again shows that the team is where they deserve to be in MRSL and we are sure the win will come!